Holly Willoughby breaks down in tears at Phillip Schofield’s incredible 40th birthday surprise backstage at This Morning

HOLLY Willoughby broke down in tears at Phillip Schofield's incredible birthday surprise backstage at This Morning.

The TV favourite turned 40 today - which may come as a shock to some fans as she's barely changed since her 20s.

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The mum-of-three is set for a huge blowout bash on This Morning and it looks like her ITV family have kicked off the celebrations behind the scenes.

Co-host Phillip Schofield, 58, gave fans a glimpse of the birthday girl arriving at the studio.

He said: "The birthday girl is about to arrive, everything is ready. She doesn't know about this."

"She is about to walk through that door."

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Phil showed off the incredible celebrations including hundreds of balloons and a giant 40th light up sign.

Holly was speechless as she spotted the This Morning crew lined up along the corridor as they sang Stevie Wonder's Happy Birthday.

The telly beauty was overwhelmed by the sweet gesture and began to well up with tears.

Wearing black flared trousers and a black puffer jacket, the star said: "Thank you. I'm just going to go in here and cry."

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The Dancing on Ice host burst into tears, saying: "I'm going to spend all day in tears."

A number of fans were shocked to discover that Holly was 40.

One astonished viewer echoed the thoughts of many when they boggled on Twitter: "No way is Holly 40!"

Phil also posted a sweet black and white throwback with his co-star, writing alongside the snap: "Happy birthday gorgeous xxx"

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In 2006, her star was on the rise and Holly was chosen to front the channel's new show Dancing On Ice, a bid to scoop up some of the success that the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing has tapped into.

The partnership with ITV veteran Phillip Schofield proved such a hit that she was picked to host This Morning alongside him in 2009 as a replacement for Fern Britton.

Together, they became one of the most enduring partnerships on TV with she and Phil, 58, both not quite looking their age.